Need help choosing wheels.
 

To start off, I'm not in the market for hugely expensive wheels. I just want something that upgrades me from my Weinman DA16s, which are starting to have recurring problems. My budget is around $200, so I've compiled a small list of wheels I can buy in that price range. I'm looking for stiffness, and reliability. They don't have to be super bombproof, considering I only weight 120. A light weight is a bonus (any one of these sets are lighter than my 2700g+ wheelset now).

So here are the options:

Fulcrum Racing 7s ($200, 1849g)
Forte Titans ($150, 2021g)
Vuelta Corsa Pro ($200, 1755g)
Mavic Askium ($210, 2425g) EDIT: These are actually 1735g. My mistake.

They all seem to get good to great reviews, but I'm leaning more towards the Fulcrums. I'm open to anything else within that price range though (as limited as the selection may be).

Neuvation?

:bang:

I can't believe I forgot Neuvation! So to add, the M28X Neuvation wheelset would only cost me $225 (10% discount for first time buyer :D). EDIT: And only weigh 1750g.

Are Neuvation wheels significantly better than all the ones I listed?

Are the Mavic Aksium's really that heavy? I thought even Mavic CXP's were right around 2000g.

http://www.mavic.com/en/product/whee.../wheels/Aksium

Says right there on their website. I was a bit surprised as well.

Titans are listed at 1755g. Best wheels in the price range in my opinion.

Aha, those were the weights including the tires, or tyres depending on where you are from.

Weight: 2425 grams
front wheel: 800 grams
rear wheel ED11: 935 grams
: 1735 grams
front wheel with tyre (WTS): 1145 grams
rear wheel ED11 with tyre (WTS): 1280 grams

Whoops. :o

Thanks for catching that.

I originally had Fulcrum 6's (came with the bike) on my Tarmac. They are a cross between a 5 and a 7 so I've been told. They are workmanlike wheels and seem to be able to take a pounding quite well. However, I like my PSIMET 50 mm carbon wheels better as they spin up quicker, better on the hills - though they are a tad bit twitcher with Conti 4000. In short - Fulcrum seem to be nice, durable wheels which I would snap on the bike if I were going into rougher waters.

I thought the 'Fulcrum 6' was just a typo. Interesting that they made a cross between two models.

I think PSIMET might be out of my range though...

You can find a few under $200 wheelsets at http://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/ I have done business with them and recommend.

http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...s/prod_27.html

Neuvation M28s are excellent for the budget minded wheel buyer.

I think I'd be a bit nervous with the 2200 hubs, and I think I like the look of less spokes with more aero rims a bit better. Vanity is important in my book. Thanks though, they look like a nice deal.

When you snap a spoke on a 20-spoke wheel you'll be wishing it had 28 or 32.

I tried contacting him through his website and got no answer.

Note: Rob does answer. Sometimes it may take a few tries, but he does answer. Additionally, the Fulcrum 6's seem to be a iteration of middle-of-the-road Fulcrums made especially for Specialized. The Mavics seem like a good deal

Why would you be nervous with 2200 hubs?

The forte titans are about 1750g. I have a pair. Love them.

could always give building your own a try. I'm about to give this a go, but I'm pretty sure it's going to take longer and come out a bit more expensive than buying something on the cheap.

I've always felt 2200 wasn't quite up to par. Do you have experience with 2200 hubs?

I only weigh 120, and not rough on my bike. Not saying it's impossible, just saying highly unlikely.

+1 to the Forte Titans being about 1750g. I had a set that weighed in at 1765 on my scale. They are basically Neuvation M28s but with a less expensive sticker.

I do not have experience with 2200 hubs. I do have a 2200 FD and shifters on my Jamis and they have been flawless after 6,000+ miles.

Out of the listed wheels i've only ridden the Aksiums. I think there a very solid wheelset for the money. Riding on LA roads i've hit several potholes on my old set and never went out of true. Same could probably be said for the others but i don't have any experience with them so i can't say for sure.

I'm extremely happy with my Neuvation m28x's. Wait for the R28's to go on sale as the "deal of the day" and get them while they're cheap if you're looking for bang-for-the-buck. I got a full bike (fc100) from him and purposefully got the m series wheels as heavier training wheels with hopes of getting lighter race wheels in the future.

If the intended purpose is for training and you plan on buying a new set later, the weight of the wheels won't matter much. In that event, try to find the "highest quality" for your money. (I'm convinced the Neuvations are quite high up on the quality per dollar scale after riding mine and seeing the wheels on some others' bikes). If the intended purpose is for all-around-use, go for the lighter ones. I wouldn't recommend tubulars for training though, as that could be very expensive depending on the quality of the roads in your area.